Youth trio arrested, linked to 20 recent city robberies

Justin Fenton, The Baltimore Sun

Baltimore police have arrested three juveniles who they say are linked to more than 20 recent cellphone robberies and two carjackings, mostly in North Baltimore.

The suspects were ages 15, 16 and 17, and one was expected to be charged as an adult. Police spokesman Sgt. Eric Kowalczyk said the three were believed to be behind a series of robberies in which the juveniles primarily drove around in stolen vehicles looking for victims with cellphones out.

Police believe the suspects are behind 12 crimes in the Northern District, six in the Northeastern and several in Southeast Baltimore. The name of the suspect expected to be charged as an adult was not immediately disclosed, and juvenile suspects are not identified.

Earlier this week, police held a news conference saying they would beef up patrols in response to a spike in robberies in city neighborhoods, including Roland Park, Little Italy and Fells Point. Robberies also have been reported recently in Wyman Park, Hampden, Remington and Butchers Hill.

At least four people jogging or walking the morning of Aug. 2 reported being assaulted and robbed after being boxed in by two vehicles — at least one of them stolen.

Kowalczyk said detectives are exploring possible links to other crimes, including the shooting of 36-year-old Zebadiah Drinkwater, who was wounded Aug. 14 in the 4000 block of Roland Ave. while helping a friend to her car.